Control4 or Crestron? Which System to Use for Home Automation
A Look at Two High-End Home Automation Systems
If you’re interested in bringing home automation to your Iowa residence, you may have come across two of the biggest brands in the industry: Control4 and Crestron.
Control4 and Crestron are luxury control systems that can integrate all your home’s technologies, from smart lighting to the hot tub. Unlike DIY plug-and-play devices, Control4 and Crestron are sophisticated enough to automate equipment from different manufacturers and group them together.
But if you must pick between the two, which is best? We’re a smart home installer based in the Davenport, IA area, and we partner with both Control4 and Crestron. In this article, we’ll compare each system to help you make the right choice.
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First Glance: Primary Differences
Control4 systems look the same no matter where they’re installed. So, if you visited another house or business that used Control4, it would look exactly like yours.
Crestron is more customizable. We should note that there are two versions of Crestron systems: Crestron Home and Crestron Custom. Crestron Home is a standardized version with a simpler interface. Crestron Custom, on the other hand, is custom built from scratch by your Crestron installer.
Customizing Interfaces
You’ll likely control your home system from your phone, tablet, or dedicated control panel. With Control4, you’ll see a standard interface on all devices, and there isn’t much room to make changes. But its OS 3 is eye-catching, sleek, and easy to use.
For Crestron Custom, the interface is completely customizable. All interactions and buttons are personalized, and we can alter every layout, font, color, and icon. This also means everything needs to be programmed by a Crestron dealer, which requires more time. However, at Reference Audio Video & Security, we’ve found what works to create the ultimate automation experience with Crestron.
Crestron Home’s interface lands somewhere between Control4 and Crestron Custom. Crestron Home is a uniform system like Control4 but will be a little more customizable.
Plays Well with Others
If you already own an audio setup, security cameras, and a voice assistant, you’ll want them to be compatible with your automation system. Thankfully, Control4 and Crestron are both highly compatible with most third-party manufacturers, including LG, Sony, Apple, Google, Sonos, Nest, Josh.ai, and more.
Scale & Size
The larger your home is, the more equipment you’ll need. A small house may only use a few TVs, loudspeakers, and network access points. But a house with 50 rooms will depend on a larger control system to connect hundreds of devices.
Crestron was originally built for commercial solutions, so it’s stronger for scaling. In more expansive projects, we usually recommend installing Crestron.
Budget
If the system’s price influences your decision, Crestron Custom will be the most expensive option. Crestron Home will have a lower price, but Control4 is the least expensive of the three systems.
What’s the Verdict?
There’s no wrong choice here: both Control4 and Crestron are excellent automation systems that will offer many years of reliable use and enjoyment.
Control4 has a simpler interface with fewer customization possibilities. It is also less expensive and still incredibly versatile with third-party devices. If you’re satisfied with the basics, we’d recommend Control4. But if you need a tailored solution, Crestron is best for unique and large installations.
Whether you’re interested in Control4 or Crestron automation, Reference Audio Video & Security designs and installs systems suited to your lifestyle and home. Contact us here to discuss your home’s project today!
